Why the fuss about physician associates?
Features of the debate around physician associates (PAs) have crystallised a range of underlying problems in the NHS into a lightning rod. This now has serious implications for the future of general practice and the medical profession itself. Unless we look back and understand why we have medical royal colleges and regulation we risk further alienating doctors—current and future. To be clear: my argument is not with the many individual PAs who have, with good faith, engaged in their training and work, with high aspirations for patient care. The current crisis is not their fault. The same cannot be said for the medical and political leaders who have led us here. Nor can we blame every current leader: this crisis has been drip fed for years, with those expressing concerns or asking questions urged to “be kind or be quiet.” But we should really be looking further back to understand what is at risk in general practice and the wider medical profession. Team working is well established in he